It’s that time of year again – the family are looking for a christmas list. Here it is.

I could use upscale casual clothes, the kind of stuff I wear to work – wrinkle free slacks (34 waist 32 length), wrinkle free shirts (I wear a large), basically anything you think I could wear to work. I’m good on jeans though.

Joe Boxers. ONLY joe boxers, no brand subsitutions.

I need a mid-season coat, something to wear in the fall and the spring. Heavier than a fleece, lighter than my winter parka. I had a nice coat kirsten got me several years ago for this, but I’ve worn it out.

I keep a wishlist in my wiki, see: http://www.metamusing.net/wiki/index.php/DavesWishList. Of the things there, I would especially like DragonQuest VIII:

or Shining Force Neo as a fallback:

or a pc game:

(that’s the expansion pak to Battlefield 2 above, called Battlefield 2: Special Forces. Hopefully Amazon will add a pic soon enough)

I ask for a version of something like this every year. I have the world’s most complicated home stereo setup, and it’s only going to get worse this year with all the new consoles coming out. Everyone chip in and buy me one of these:

I really want a Gamepark GP2X. You have to import them, they’re manufactured in South Korea. They go for under $200. Everyone chip in! Lik-sang is a reputable vendor I’ve dealt with a number of times. It’s everything cool about the PSP except the wifi. Order one quick if you are going to go this route, it has to get shipped from Hong Kong.

Ok, so you’re not brave enough to order something from overseas for me? Get me the Nintendo DS mario kart bundle. I want the GP2X more but if you waited till the last minute, this is an acceptable substitute:

Nintendo DS Mario Kart Bundle at Amazon

I need a coffee table. Surprise me. Smallish, preferably with some storage – by way of example check out the KOLSVIK at ikea.

I have a minor fetish for pens. Surprise me.

My amazon wishlist is chock full of books I want. I got on a zombie kick around halloween and added a ton of stuff, best to ignore all the zombie books. It will take me the rest of my life to work through those. Some suggestions from my list:

Astute observers will note a lot of the items on my amazon wishlist are out of print or otherwise unavailable. Surprise me with a couple of those.

I have a thing for keyboards. My current object of obsession:

Though you may be tempted to do so as the ultimate in surprises, do not buy me an xbox 360. They’ll be at least $100 cheaper when they PS3 ships and whatever reliability issues they’re having right now will be sorted out.

I crave a 19″ 4:3 <8ms monitor with dual dvi inputs. Since only Jesse will understand that, buy me a newegg gift certificate instead and I will put it towards the monitor.

I crave an ipod nano. Buy me an apple gift certificate and I will put it towards one.

I need a pair of insulated snow pants.

I need a pair of snowshoes. Modern light weight ones.

Find me the world’s coolest light-weight walking stick.

Ok. That should be enough variety for everyone, I’ll stop here…. err wait, no – one more wish: Bush in chains. Now I’m done.

So perhaps your read my recent post about the publication of George RR Martin’s A Feast for Crows and are considering picking up a copy. Given how complex the series has been, with its huge cast of characters and ever shifting alliances between them, you will probably find it useful to take a look at Vincent Briscuso’s excellent compendium of information on the series, including an incredibly comprehensive set of chapter summaries for all the released books (with the exception of the most recent). This is holiday reading material for me as I prepare to dive into the new novel.

Check out this awesome set of instructions for navigating your way out of phone tree hell and to a human being. Unfortunately my primary bank (Key) isn’t on the list, but paypal, ebay, and visa all are as well as tons of others. Next time you’re dreading that 20 minute exercise in frustration that is trying to reach a human being at a company, check this list first, your blood pressure will thank you.

Per repeated requests from various family members, I’ve put my Christmas list together, you can view it here:

http://www.metamusing.net/weblog/christmas-2005-wishlist/

I’ll get a link in the sidebar so you don’t lose track of it, at some point. Also remember you can always search for it.

OK here’s another cool human-powered vehicle to consider for AGCW next year, or for the camping trip with the families especially – a giant inflatable human hamster ball. Runs about $205 US, but it’s only available in Australia at the moment. This is the least expensive of all the ones I’ve linked to so far. The site has a bunch of other cool water toys, like for example the Sumo Tube. Who’s brave enough to clamber inside that thing.

[via engadget]

So I mentioned the other day about how a random passer-by popped into my photo gallery and left unkind comments on one of the pics. For whatever reason she left her real name and city, so tonight while I was playing WoW during idle moments I googled her. Talk about karma – it appears that about 3 months after she left her comments, she died. I can’t be certain it’s the same woman, but same name, same city, within 3 months, and a relatively uncommon name. Seems likely to have been her.

Ameinfo.com reports that Kuwaits biggest oil field, the world’s second largest, is producing significantly less oil than had been forecast. More fuel for the peak oil tank. I hope folks bookmarked that low-cost bike I linked to last week.

Technically I guess I was already an Uncle, but this is the first time it feels real. My sister Kirsten gave birth to my niece Isabella last night at some point – I woke to find a couple of messages on my answering machine about it. I don’t have much in the way of details – as soon as I do, I’ll post more. But for now, have a virtual cigar on me.